Tuesday, June 27, 2017

We started from Pune towards Pandharpur early in the morning at around 6 and the question on everyone’s mind was where could we have breakfast at this unearthly hour before moving forward? Hungry and craving for breakfast, we turned to google for help but all the restaurants that came up were still to open for the day. Except, of course, for Amruteshwar Bhawan - our saviour for the morning.

Amruteshwar Bhawan in Pune, the place to go for an early morning breakfast!

Amruteshwar is a one of its kind small eating joint serving breakfast for students and locals alike in the wee hours of the morning – a saviour for travellers like us and a haven for students starved for home cooked food. A small hole in the wall shop, Amruteshwar opens as early as 3 in the morning and runs all the day till 11.

Amruteshwar Bhawan Menu: Take your pick!

At Amruteshwar, you can get Puneri Maharashtrian style breakfast like Pohe, Vada Pao, Misal Usal Pao, Sabudana Khichdi, Shira, Idli, Khari Pattice, Nimbu Paani etc. The mention of so many dishes including Pohe and Misal bought water in our mouths and we didn’t need any more reasons to convince ourselves and take a turn over to Amruteshwar.

Puneri breakfast on a platter: What will you have?

The fact that locals start queuing up as early as 3 AM when the shop opens speaks of the legacy the shop has built for itself. It’s a standing eating joint and though the cleanliness standards and the ambience are questionable at first sight, I still loved the place for taste of the dishes.

Proud ownder of Amruteshwar: Anna or Appa as he is fondly known

We had a plate of Pohe with sambhar, Samosa and a plate of Misal Pao. All of them were fabulous for a quick morning snack. The tea was pretty good too. The prices are very reasonable as well keeping in mind the student base which form a major chunk of the customers here.

If you are searching for a good place to have breakfast in Pune very early in the morning, don’t think twice - this is the place to go! And after you are done eating, don't forget to buy a plate for pohe for these lovely little creatures as well, you will get a packet of happiness and blessings for your way forward.

Pigeons having a feast at Amruteshwar's!

How to get there?

Take the Lane No. 5 on Maharshi Karve Road. You will come across Amruteshwar Bhawan as a small hole in the wall shop.

I clicked this image while wandering in the premises of Makkah Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, Telangana (one of the largest in India) and a prominent landmark of the city along with the magnificent monument of Char Minar and other landmarks like Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar standing close by. The place is so called because the bricks used in the building of the central arch of the mosque are from the soil brought from Mecca, the most revered site of Islam, thus giving the mosque its name. Like a shining jewel in a crown, the mosque formed the central point around which an entire city was planned by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

This was some sort of a praying room inside the masjid with hardly a couple of people inside. I had wanted to go in the room but an elderly gentleman standing there indicated to me that it isn't allowed. May be it was about to be closed? Since he was communicating in the local language Hyderabadi which I couldn't decipher, I couldn't ask any further but I was happy and satisfied nevertheless soaking in the peaceful vibe of the place, seeing this lone man praying and taking this picture.

It's a blessed feeling writing this soulie today... as one of the most auspicious festivals of the Muslims, the fasting month of Ramzan (also Ramadan) is going on right now with its culmination in Eid Al - Fitr just a day away. A revered moment I was a part of, way back in 2013... today feels like coming alive again.

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Be a part of #Soulie!

A Soul Selfie series or '#Soulie' aiming to meaningfully strengthen my personal connect with my Father, God (you may choose to call Him by any name you like, as long as the reference and more importantly, the essence is retained) by peeping within my own heart — collecting your prayers and feelings too as you discover the world – and jotting them down on paper. It’s a spiritual exploration of that which is Unseen and a celebration of that Ultimate sacred space we yearn for - within and without - and the riches we carry in our own hearts. Do take part and share with My Yatra Diary... a piece of your heart.

Here are things you can do if you want to join in.

1. Send me one picture clicked by you and a few lines by your heart on how that captured moment makes you relate with that Someone Higher in your life in a more meaningful and healthy way.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Even though we have known each other for a lifetime, I think my part of the bonding really started only around 8 years back…

I remember that day so vividly. I had walked up to him asking him to read something I had written in my diary. It was an essay about a place we had recently visited, written, after much prodding by my brother, who had come up with this supposedly exciting idea of a blog. The article was about his hometown, Haridwar, the place where his heart lay and this fact made me nervous because my own heart lay in the essay which I had tiresomely managed to come up with after hours and hours of scribbling and immersing my head completely in the diary.

As he kept reading the story, line after line, I had eagerly gazed into his eyes intermittently trying to determine his response. What would he say? Would he like reading it or would he just brush it aside? His response was vital and important to me.

He took his time, reading each and every word slowly; taking it all in carefully, pausing sometimes, reading this line again and then finally he spoke.

It’s nice – he had said, looking straight into my round beaming eyes and in that moment his own eyes reflected in a gleam that could easily outshine the brightest star on the planet. Just two words and even before I could understand or analyse the depth of the appreciation, I felt them, deep in my heart. They were more than what was needed by me to jump in joy and ecstasy. I was overjoyed, partly because of his encouragement and more because I knew - I had impressed him! And thus began a new chapter in my life dipped in the pool of our friendship: Me and my first and best buddy, who gradually went on to don the hat of my inspiration and guide as well.... My Inspiration

He already travelled a lot, plans made at the drop of a hat, and he gladly made me a part of all of them – right from booking hotels to showing me new things, guiding me to places never seen and helping me open up to complete strangers on the road, people from different walks of life.

Arti, every person you are meeting in life has at least one quality you are lacking. With your meeting, you are called to discover those qualities and imbibe them in yourself.

With precious nuggets like these, he made every possible effort to help his little darling step out of her reserved shell.

This is one of my hand drawn happy birthday cards for him a few years back.
My dad always eagerly waited (still does) for these!

Talking of learning, if there is one person I can converse with, as an absolute equal, it’s him. So we have talks on God, death, life and many other things where he puts his point of view and I put in mine. No matter how absurd my argument is, he has never gotten angry on me. Every time I have faced a problem or a dilemma, I have found a patient ear in him and his thoughtful advice and understanding perspective has been worth more than gold for me.

He has been the most loyal and genuine critique and appreciator of My Yatra Diary..., doting on it all the encouragement, love and support that I guess only a father’s heart can give. He has taught me to value my ethics, morals and ideals over material needs and follow my heart in all that I do.

He was the one who bought me a digital camera, my first and also the one that I continue using till date because otherwise... how could I write blogs that HE wanted to read?... And, My Guide

Through an unmasked, unpretentious honest way of living and interacting with people, he has tried to instil in both his children the love for the higher Supreme. It was our family rule, that if we children get lost anywhere during our travels, we just had to stand our ground wherever we are and our parents would come and find us.

Every time I lost my way, I had no reason to worry as I knew my father would come and find me. And he did. Every single time.

I think he tried to inculcate in his children the basic truths of life in the simplest way possible. As I have grown older, there are instances where I feel lost in the maze of life. It’s then that I close my eyes when I find the true resonance of this rule – Don’t worry, you are safe, father will come and find you – as an assurance that hope and faith are just a thought away.Like a potter moulds clumsy lumps of formless clay into a work of art, he has shaped my thoughts into structure and made me the person I am today. If there is only one thing I could ask God, I would pray for the strength and elegance to be like him. I wish to be more of his man in my woman in the years that are to come. Which I know is pretty tough for an asking because of the sheer simplicity that he is, in his being. The thorough gentlemen people talk about, a daughter’s hero, the old fashioned kind, a daughter’s first love and the best.

Jotting down a few sketchy memories through this simple post seems shallow to be passed off as a gift when compared to what he has done for me all his life but here it is, papa – thank you for everything. For holding me safe in your arms and for always being there for me even when I wasn’t available for you. Thank you for giving me the priceless gift of belief at a time when I didn't have it for myself. You may not be perfect and even though we have our share of disagreements and differences, please know that you are and always will be the best for me. Thank you for being who you are and for accepting and loving me as the same. Thank you for giving me your little finger to hold, walking through life has been a joy ever since.

P.S.Even though this post is primarily dedicated to my dad but it really goes out to all of you… countless father figures like him who take care of innumerable hearts of all us daughters out here. They say behind every man’s success there is a woman, I say – behind every daughter’s success, there is a father and I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have been blessed by many fathers throughout the 7 year tenure of my blogging journey.Thank you for affirming our faith in this beautiful relationship by cherishing it as it was always meant to be … raw, pure and heavenly … without any strings attached except those that pull the chords of the heart and create a beautiful symphony of love and life. All of you mean so much to all of us, especially to those who might not have a father figure in their own life, for you make a difference, you help us all spread our wings and fly and make this world a little better, safe and beautiful to live in.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Pune is one of the India’s greatest cosmopolitan food cities and as you start exploring the city you realize there is no dearth of traditional as well as more contemporary delicious flavors to sample and savour everywhere you go.

Talk of street food, traditional or international cuisine – Pune is a city which packs it all in! Restaurants of all levels for every type of traveller, serving an extensive array of mouth watering cuisine are flourishing in every nook and corner of the city – like any metro city in the country there are so many food possibilities that you can be literally spoilt for choice.

Pun, for us, this time was just a stopover. So although I didn’t get to explore the food as much as I would have loved to (like this complete food guide here) but still managed to grab a lunch and dinner. So, for all those who are in Pune for a quick stopover and are wondering where they can head to for some good vegetarian meals, here’s my post to help you!

VAISHALI RESTAURANT

Vaishali is one of the most famous restaurants in Pune known for its south Indian dishes. Such is its legend that my dad once travelled from Mumbai to Pune just to grab a bite here! (Imagine, it’s that big a name and yes, my dad is that big a foodie!) And he has got us all rightly hitched to this place ever since.

The place is located strategically in the central hub of the city and serves a lot of people all through the day and night. It’s a sit down restaurant and has an indoor and an outdoor seating area, so it’s pretty clean and good for friends, family alike.

I began with a plate of Idli wada then proceeded to have its dosa and sandwiches topping it all up with my favourite, watermelon juice. The dishes are all fresh and impressively scrumptious.

The only catch here is that the waiting time can be terribly long especially at peak times, minimum half an hour, so be prepared to wait it out till your turn comes up in the queue.

How to reach Vaishali?

Vaishali Restaurant is located on the busy Fergusson College Road in the heart of Pune. Keeping walking across the street, the restaurant is very easy to find as it is arguable one of the best in Pune.

F. C. Chaat house as the name suggests is a chaat house serving all kinds of quick savoury bites. The place is not that famous but strategically located on the F.C. Road hence attracts a lot of hungry customers like us. The place is a street eatery with a few chairs for seating.

We had pani puri, crispy dumplings dipped in spicy mint tamarind water and a chocolate sandwich. I thought it was pretty okay but what I loved about this place was the kala khutta rose gola, crushed flavoured ice lolly, I had in the end – it was excellent!

Saturday, June 10, 2017

He lies there, still, not a movement, eyes closed, a distinct calming aura radiating around his face… if peace is for real, this is it – I say to myself.

Someone standing near, bursts in a bout of tears. A few others follow suit. The cries around break my attention from him, turning it instead, towards the sadness all around. The atmosphere is heavy, emotions swirling around in the cauldron of time… two of them are more easily graspable than others uniting us all in these moments of sorrow. Grief and pain, they are very much palpable; a loved one is no more.

Someone’s father, someone’s brother, someone’s dear friend, husband, a well wisher, someone who made a difference in another life… that someone is no longer alive. The breath of spirit has been stripped away by forces beyond control. The loss is real and hard. The reality hits like a hammer hitting a nail in the heart and one feels helpless in the face of existence.

Death, is it an end or a new beginning?

One part of me can't fathom the enormity of the loss and wants to cry and there is yet another part of me that wants to shift, come face to face with what is, as is and see… him... calm, composed and unperturbed - all set to flow into eternity, just like Mother Ganga, and embark on a new journey of rest, rejuvenation and renewal.Emotions that were once a part of living... nothing affects him anymore… nor pain, nor pleasure, within and without.

The worldly sorrow and misery no longer hold him hostage. Thoughts, desires, wants, restlessness and anxieties cannot disturb him now. They have all drifted away with the billowing vapours, dissipating, dissolving like unwanted particles of dust in the atmosphere. He is unattached, finally free… free from the bounding shackles of caste, creed, color and race. If peace is for real, this is it, I say to myself and close my eyes in prayer... in those moments, peace suddenly becomes tangible.

Why is it that events like death, loss, darkness seem intimidating to most of us …

is it because it is hard to let go of the people and possessions we hold so dear?

Is it because it is so hard to come to terms with our own emotions of pain and grief?

Is it because death brings us face to face with our own fragilities,

our own tenderness in the midst of anguish and bereavement

and calls for a new level of endurance and acceptance?

The hissing murmers of an endless stream of questions in my mind slowly fade with the fading vapours flowing away as do the cries and shrieks of his near and dear ones. Only ashes remain here. On the earth. There, in my heart, he breathes… his journey in peace sparking a light of joy and happiness, for an entire eternity to come.

This picture is from one of the oldest and sacred ghats in Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat. Funeral pyres burn here night and day, everyday. A cremation here is considered to be a liberated passage into the higher realm (myoksha) and ashes are flown into River Ganga just as life flows into eternity. Legend has it that it is at this ghat where Mother Parvati’s Karnika (earring) had fallen, hence the name. At the upper level of the the ghat, one can see the Baba Mashan Nath temple. You can read more about the ghats of Varanasi here - A walk along the ghats of Varanasi.

A Soul Selfie series or “#Soulie” series aiming to meaningfully strengthen my personal connect with my Father, God (you can choose to call Him by any name you like as long as the reference is maintained and more importantly the essence) by peeping within my own heart — collecting your prayers and feelings too as you discover the world – and jotting them down on paper. It’s a spiritual exploration of that which is Unseen and a celebration of that Ultimate sacred space we yearn for - within and without - and the riches we carry in our own hearts.

Here is what you can do if you wish to join in.

1. Send me one picture / blog / instagram clicked by you and a few lines by your heart on how that moment makes you relate with that Someone Higher in your life in a more meaningful and healthy way.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.

- Dorothea Lange.

Today is the 7th chapter in the book of #Soulie, a page I have been publishing every Saturday since the past seven weeks and I thought it is a good time to collect all the posts that bloggers have shared with My Yatra Diary... for the project ever since.

Before moving further, let me just give a small brief if you are wondering what this #Soulie is all about: it is a word / hashtag I had coined spontaneously while analysing my love affair with my camera during my yatras (read – Is the Camera a Tool or a Barrier While Travelling?) which later gave birth to this idea, Soulie Saturday.

I have already written about my idea of a selfie before, here it is again - I am not your (typical) selfie person, I am much more comfortable behind the camera rather than in front of it. You will hardly find any pictures of mine, let alone on this blog, with me also. Travel blogging and writing, in this manner, thus allows me the luxury of not being seen and yet… being seen through what I write. My words here are my Self(ie) you see! and this I wouldn’t want to trade for anything just yet, for my own sanity sake.

Okay, if not #selfie then what?

#Soulie.

Blogging at My Yatra Diary... is truly wonderful but many a times during my travels, I tend to get so immersed in capturing a picture, sharing and putting them up on the blog / social media that it leaves my mom wondering:

Arti, if you are so busy taking photographs,

what will you actually see?

And though I simply shrug her mindful observation off most of the time, it's not until I sit down, write and put things in perspective that the reality seeps in and I cannot help getting enveloped in a sense of gratitude towards her.

What will you actually see?

Here is my answer #Soulie. With it, I am trying to push myself to actually see – to be more aware, to sit down with moments caught, meet them and feel them… not as a priced possession to flaunt away but as a treasured experience to keep safe within the confines of my heart… an experience of all those moments that are no longer alive and yet very much throbbing somewhere inside, an experience of all those moments that were once rushing in a flicker of seconds, today freezed and calling out, asking me, teasing…

So here we are Arti …

tell us, what is it that you can see in us,

what is it in us that your eyes can touch,

now that we are gone and all that is left is this piece of us.

See, see again and see hard – touch something, anything and breathe life in us!

Thank you to everyone who has showed an interest in this endeavour and supported the idea of using the camera in a more mindful way, My Yatra Diary… hopes to see your touching creations in her little corner soon.

For now, let’s see what some wonderful people have shared as part of the #Soulie project through their inspiring work on Instagram, twitter and blog:

An enthusiastic girl full of life, Pooja Bhatt’s passion for photography is electric! What touched me was her forwardness to #Soulie inspite of her craze for selfies – speaks volumes about her keen dynamism.

Here are two pictures from her… first one is that of a child who is teaching us all about facing everything in life - with a wide smile. And second is from the lap of Mother Nature. Both the subjects close to my heart, the series couldn’t have got a better start.

Our next blogger is Saumy Nagayach who is equally passionate about all things photography although he calls himself a novice photographer. Whenever you have some time, especially check out the poetry section on his blog, they are straight from the heart... all #Soulie. So here are two pictures from his bag on Instagram – first one that of a beautiful white flower urging us to let it just bloom and the second a silent prayer for more goodness in the world.

This post wouldn’t be complete without our third blogger Vandita – the only photography enthusiast who jumped in with 'It is worth evaluating!' on twitter the moment she read the post ‘Is the Camera a Tool or a Barrier While Travelling?’ And guess what? True to her word, she did evaluate it! Read all about her experience of the experiment on her blog:

This is all we have for this Soulie sharing post this time around but don’t forget to join in (on blog or instagram) if you think you have something to share for the series as well. The only requisite I ask is that it should be a moment that touches you in some way so that it is can be felt by other hearts as well. Then use the hashtag #Soulie on Instagram and let me know!

Friday, June 2, 2017

From a long walk in Coles Park to saying a prayer at the Bull Temple, from hundreds of coffee shops to fantastic weather, you can’t help falling in love with this amazing city which we call Bangalore, but is better known as ‘The Garden City of India’ and ‘The Silicon Valley of India’.

Okay, first let me correct myself politically. Now it is officially renamed as Bengaluru, but the charm of its old name, ‘Bangalore’, is still intact. You know, like the good old days and wine!

Garden City of India - Bangalore / Bengaluru.

Now let’s come to the point, if you have ever lived in the city, or have ever visited Bangalore, you can easily understand that the title of this blog is not an exaggeration. If you haven’t visited the city, let me convince you to plan your next trip to Bangalore, the following points will persuade you to do so:

1. Paradise for Music Lovers:

Do you know, over 50 music concerts are coming up in the next few months in Bangalore? Yes, all the best music concerts take place in the city. People here are hardcore music fans and every artist who visits India surely performs here.

2. Places of Peace:

In our daily hustle bustle and chaotic lifestyle, peace can go for a toss. In order that stress doesn’t overtake the reigns of your mind, Bangalore has loads of temples and places of worship that you can go to find some inner zen and solace. The Bull Temple and the ISKCON Temple are very popular among others.

3. Lovely Green Spaces:

Soak in the beauty of Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

As it is known as the ‘Garden City of India’, it is not difficult to find yourself in huge and sprawling green space if you are taking a stroll through Bangalore. There are beautiful parks stretch across acres of land like LalBagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Hebbal Park, Bannerghatta National Park, etc.; where you can spend time, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

4. Pleasant Climate:

Thanks to its geographical location, Bangalore enjoys perfect weather throughout the year and therefore, you don’t need to sweat like a river or freeze to death in the city.Hearing people grumbling of North India’s weather brings a smile on your face if you are a Bangalorean.

5. Artistic View:

The walls of the city are the testament to the creativity of Bangaloreans. People have beautified them with amazing graffiti and other art work. Indeed, when you walk around the city, you feel like walking in the art gallery.

6. Good Accommodation Facilities:

Bangalore has various wonderful destinations and due to its cosmopolitan elite tag, it welcomes travellers—both leisure and business— throughout the year. There are homestays, PG, and luxurious five star hotels in Bangalore, which you can choose as per your budget and convenience. Also, various resorts and hotels in Bangalore offer different facilities and activities to help you enjoy your holiday in the most brilliant way.

Relax in Bangalore with a hotel of your choice.(image credit: shutterstock)

You can book a hotel for yourself with any of the travel websites, like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Goibibo, etc. Though, you can directly approach these hotels in Bangalore to make reservations, it is strongly advised to take the help of these online travel websites which will save both your time and money. For instance, Yatra has a customer-friendly support system to take care of any travel-related woes. Further, you get a chance to book hotels and other travel package in a few mouse clicks from the comfort of your home.

7. Treat to Foodies:

You can easily find an inspiring mishmash of old and new food items, and best themed restaurants to explore, regardless of whether you are a business traveler of leisure one.

8. Perfect for vacationers:

Tea Plantations in Coonoor.

Whether you want to indulge in paragliding, visit historical monuments or just spend time in the lap of nature, most of the popular weekend gateways are just a night’s journey from Bangalore. Places like Coonoor, Ooty, Mysore, Chennai, Coorg, are just 8-9 hours away from the main city.

9. Warm and friendly people:

Last but surely not the least, the natives of Bangalore are nice and friendly. Even though, it is down south, people flocking from other parts of the city never feel linguistically handicapped. Even if you can’t manage Kannada, Hindi and English are your saviours.

Trust me, I have never come across one person who has spent a major part of his life in Bangalore, but have something negative to say about the city. Everyone who has been there, even for a day, has only one thing to say, “Bangalore is the perfect place to stay”!

About the Author:

Meera Dewaan is an aspiring writer, literature geek and author. She has several journals, articles and papers to her name. Writing is her passion. She writes about mostly all genres.

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My Yatra Diary...

Hi there! I am Arti - often found on the road travelling with my best friend, inspiration and guide - my father. I love travelling to spiritual places and consider my external yatras as continuous learning journeys within; a journey where I seek to discover and experience the real treasures of this life someday. Besides helping my own self, this blog of mine also aims to help those planning to make a trip to these places or simply provide a virtual tour to the rest.
If you have any queries, do leave a comment, I will be pleased to help!
You can also contact me at - 22arti@gmail.com